Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2016.002.029 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Description |
Original entrance of the Forest Museum, now known as the BC Forest Discovery Centre. |
Image File Name |
1960-70 - Original Entrance - Duncan - 2016002029 - tiff600 - 001 |
Year Range from |
1960 |
Year Range to |
1970 |
Date (y/m/d) |
/ / |
Place |
Duncan |
Provenance |
From the Collection of Reginald T. Harrison. Digital only and not available for reproduction. On May 24, 1965, the museum was opened to the public. Paid attendance for the year totaled 16,881. The first passengers were carried on the rail line. On June 4 and 5, 1966, the Cowichan Valley Forest Museum officially opened. The first year paid attendance totalled 28,369. Born in Yorkshire, England in 1900, Gerry Wellburn moved to Victoria and later to Duncan in the 30s. Since a kid, Wellburn had been an avid collector first finding interest in stamps. In 1963, the Cowichan Valley Forest Museum Society (CVFM) was formed, and Wellburn, with the help of friends like Hector Stone, moved his collection of forestry artifacts (and more) from his home in Deerholme to a 15-acre site in Duncan overlooking Somenos Lake. It took several years of organizing and planning before the first visitors were welcomed in 1965. The museum was officially opened the following year. The name was changed to the BC Forest Museum (BCFM) in 1973. Gerry visited the BCFM for the last time in 1991 stating that, "I think you're finally getting it right." In 1999, the name was changed again to the current BC Forest Discovery Centre. |
Photographer |
Harrison, Reg |
Search Terms |
Duncan Reg Harrison BC Forest Museum BCFDC Entrance Grounds Sign |
Collection |
BCFDC Institutional Memory |
People |
Harrison |
Subjects |
Buildings & Structures Documentary, Cowichan Valley |